Clematis viorna: Country Or Region Of Origin
North Central & Eastern U.S.A
Plant Profile: Clematis viorna
Taxonomy: Clematis viornaNames
Leatherflower, Northern Leatherflower, Vasevine
Phonetic Spelling:KLEM-ah-tiss vi-or-na
Genus:Clematis
Species:viorna
Family:Ranunculaceae
Leather Flower is a native climbing vine that showcases striking lavender-purple flowers, shaped like bells or urns, from spring through fall. It can be cultivated on a trellis or used as ground cover. After the blooms have faded, the slender, feathery golden seed heads provide an attractive display. This plant thrives in moist soil with good drainage and a neutral pH, preferring full sun to partial shade. During winter, it dies back to a woody base and requires pruning in the spring.
Clematis viorna Feature Summary
Tags
#purple
#hummingbirds
#showy flowers
#deciduous
#poisonous
#red flowers
#moths
#tendrils
#riparian
#fall interest
#stream banks
#moist soil
#NC native
#well-drained soil
#creeping
#spreading
#trellises
#vines
#climbing vines
#neutral ph
#summer flowers
#dappled sunlight
#deer resistant
#native garden
#lantern
#bell shape
#groundcover
#naturalizes
#spring interest
#pollinator plant
#leathery leaves
#vase-shaped
#showy seedheads
#rocky soils tolerant
#bird friendly
#partial shade tolerant
#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#bee friendly
#problem for horses
Similar Plants
Clematis viorna Feature Summary
Attributes
North Central & Eastern U.S.A
AL , AR , DC , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , MD , MO , MS , NC , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV
Butterfly, moth and fly larvae feed on the foliage and stems. The flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Moth and fly larvae feed on the foliage and stems. Birds eat the seed heads.
Perennial
Seed
Stem Cutting
Division
Layering
Attracts Pollinators
Attractive Flowers
Twining
Tendrils
Fruit
This plant has a large seed head with many individual seeds, each seed attached to a fuzzy plume of a tail for wind distribution.
Achene
Brown/Copper
Flowers
This plant has single, 1-in. violet to dull purple, bell-shaped flowers with thick, fleshy, petal-like sepals. Its flowers have 4-8 petal-like parts of various colors and many stamens. It blooms from May to fall.
Purple/Lavender
Red/Burgundy
Spring
Summer
Colored Sepals
Bell
Urn
1-3 inches
Leaves
Compound stems have 4-8 leaflets plus an additional tendril-like terminal leaflet. The leaflets range from unlobed to bearing two or three lobes to further divided into two or three sub-leaflets. They have a sparse to dense coating of long or short hairs on the underside. Leaves are alternate, either simple or odd-pinnately compound. Simple leaves and leaflets are lanceolate, 3" long x 2" wide, with entire margins and sometimes with lateral lobes, the leaflets at the base of the leaf are the most deeply divided. The major veins of each leaf are parallel.
Deciduous
Green
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Alternate
Ovate
Lanceolate
Entire
3-6 inches
Leathery
1-3 inches
Stem
Stems are almost completely free of hairs or may have long or short soft hairs below the node.
Poisonous to Humans
Clematis can cause severe mouth pain and ulcers if eaten. Toxic to dogs, cats, horses. Clinical signs are salivation, vomiting, diarrhea. In humans, symptoms may include dizziness, confusion, fainting, and convulsions. Fatalities are rare, due to the rapid and intense bitter taste and mouth irritation from eating. Gastric lavage is recommended and anti-inflammatory to soothe irritated tissue. Contact dermatitis results in skin redness and burning sensation for some people, gardening gloves are recommended.
protoanemonin
High
Leaves
Sap/Juice
Whole Plant Traits
Native Plant
Poisonous
Vine
Ground Cover
Deciduous
Spreading
Climbing
Rapid
Medium
Fine
Tendrils
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
3 feet-6 feet
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
4a
4b
5b
5a
6a
6b
7a
7b
8b
8a
9a
9b
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Landscape
Pollinator Garden
Native Garden
Screen/Privacy
Small groups
Specimen
Deer
Rabbits
Woodland
Naturalized Area
Slope/Bank
Riparian
Vertical Spaces
Butterflies
Songbirds
Bees
Moths
Hummingbirds
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Contact Dermatitis
Problem for Children
Clematis viorna Image Gallery
Clematis viorna Attributes
Clematis viorna: Distribution
AL , AR , DC , DE , GA , IL , IN , KY , MD , MO , MS , NC , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV
Clematis viorna: Wildlife Value
Butterfly, moth and fly larvae feed on the foliage and stems. The flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Moth and fly larvae feed on the foliage and stems. Birds eat the seed heads.
Clematis viorna: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Clematis viorna: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Clematis viorna: Play Value
Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer
Clematis viorna: Climbing Method
Clinging
Scrambler
Tendrils
Twining
Clematis viorna Fruit
Clematis viorna: Fruit Description
This plant has a large seed head with many individual seeds, each seed attached to a fuzzy plume of a tail for wind distribution.
Clematis viorna: Fruit Type
Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua
Clematis viorna: Fruit Color
Brown/Copper
Clematis viorna: Fruit Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Clematis viorna: Display/Harvest Time
Fall
Spring
Summer
Winter
Clematis viorna Flowers
Clematis viorna: Flower Description
This plant has single, 1-in. violet to dull purple, bell-shaped flowers with thick, fleshy, petal-like sepals. Its flowers have 4-8 petal-like parts of various colors and many stamens. It blooms from May to fall.
Clematis viorna: Flower Color
Purple/Lavender
Red/Burgundy
Clematis viorna: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Clematis viorna: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Clematis viorna: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Clematis viorna: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Clematis viorna: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Clematis viorna: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Clematis viorna Leaves
Clematis viorna: Leaf Description
Compound stems have 4-8 leaflets plus an additional tendril-like terminal leaflet. The leaflets range from unlobed to bearing two or three lobes to further divided into two or three sub-leaflets. They have a sparse to dense coating of long or short hairs on the underside. Leaves are alternate, either simple or odd-pinnately compound. Simple leaves and leaflets are lanceolate, 3" long x 2" wide, with entire margins and sometimes with lateral lobes, the leaflets at the base of the leaf are the most deeply divided. The major veins of each leaf are parallel.
Clematis viorna: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Clematis viorna: Leaf Color
Green
Clematis viorna: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Clematis viorna: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Clematis viorna: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Clematis viorna: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Clematis viorna: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Clematis viorna: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Clematis viorna: Leaf Feel
Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy
Clematis viorna: Leaf Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Clematis viorna Stem
Clematis viorna: Stem Description
Stems are almost completely free of hairs or may have long or short soft hairs below the node.
Clematis viorna: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Clematis viorna Poisonous to Humans
Clematis viorna: Poison Symptoms
Clematis can cause severe mouth pain and ulcers if eaten. Toxic to dogs, cats, horses. Clinical signs are salivation, vomiting, diarrhea. In humans, symptoms may include dizziness, confusion, fainting, and convulsions. Fatalities are rare, due to the rapid and intense bitter taste and mouth irritation from eating. Gastric lavage is recommended and anti-inflammatory to soothe irritated tissue. Contact dermatitis results in skin redness and burning sensation for some people, gardening gloves are recommended.
Clematis viorna: Poison Toxic Principle
protoanemonin
Clematis viorna: Poison Severity
High
Low
Medium
Clematis viorna: Causes Contact Dermatitis
No
Yes
Clematis viorna: Poison Part
Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems
Clematis viorna Whole Plant Traits
Clematis viorna: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Clematis viorna: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Clematis viorna: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Clematis viorna: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Clematis viorna: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Clematis viorna: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Clematis viorna: Appendage
Prickles
Spines
Tendrils
Thorns
Clematis viorna Cultural Conditions
Clematis viorna: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Clematis viorna: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Clematis viorna: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Clematis viorna: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Clematis viorna: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Clematis viorna: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
9a
9b
Clematis viorna: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Clematis viorna Landscape
Clematis viorna: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Clematis viorna: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Clematis viorna: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Clematis viorna: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Clematis viorna: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
Clematis viorna: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
